Simon Medler, Lovell regional managing director, said: “The area around our Firs Park development has such an exciting history that we decided from the outset to celebrate this and make it central to the development.

“As a local business, based in Norwich, it’s been particularly pleasing to pay tribute to the area’s past at the same time as our development is shaping its new future.”

Wal Morton who rode for Norwich in the early days and then returned to the city after the war. He rode for the Stars in 1948 and again in 1957. Photo: Mike Kemp Collection.

During the 1930s, proper speedway was introduced by “Mad” Max Grosskreutz from Australia who transformed The Firs and entered the Norwich Stars in a new league.

After the war, rider Dick Wise took over control and this heralded a glory era for speedway, with average gates of around 20,000.

Riders came from around the world and by the end of the 1940s, The Firs stadium was extended to hold 26,000 and it attracted some of the best riders around.

One of the biggest draws in the 1960s, before the stadium closed, was Swede Ove Fundin, known as the Flying Fox, who won the Speedway World Championship Final five times.

The two captains - Aub Lawson (right) and Split Waterman - shake hands ahead of the England-Australia international speedway meeting at The Firs in Norwich in 1953.

The Norwich Stars who have had house styles in the Firs Park development are:

Phil Clarke: A Norwich Star from 1947 until 1959, during which time he scored more points than any other rider – a grand total of 2,162 in no less than 309 matches.

While other riders looked the part, Phil in his steel-rimmed glasses and with his quiet way, resembled a friendly and gentle professor rather than a daredevil motorcycle rider.

JOHNNY CHAMBERLAIN in 1953.

But he was the backbone of the Norwich team for more than a decade during which time he represented England and also rode at Wembley in the world finals.

Aub Lawson: The Australian international was a firm favourite at The Firs, riding for the Norwich Stars from 1953 until 1960, when he retired and returned down under. Known as the “Gentleman of the tracks”, but a natural leader. It was Lawson who was responsible for bringing Ove Fundin to Norwich.

A spectacular shot from 1948 showing Syd Littlewood on the outside of Bert Spencer as thousands of Norwich Stars speedway fans cheered on their heroes at the Firs which could hold crowds of up to 26,000.

Bert Spencer: Another Aussie rider, the leg-trailing Bert Spencer arrived on loan from Wimbledon in 1937 and soon beat the track record at The Firs by a whole second. He returned in 1938 and helped the Second Division Norwich Stars to a tie for top spot, but the city team lost out on the title because they had scored fewer race points.

Wal Morton: Birmingham-born Morton swapped boxing for bikes and went on to a career which went on for more than three decades. As well as his stints with the Norwich Stars pre and post Second World War, he also rode for more than a dozen other teams, before he retired in the 1960s.

Terry Betts

Syd Littlewood: Yet another Australian who turned out for the Norwich Stars after being signed by Max Grosskruetz in 1938. He won the Eastern Counties Championship and Wilmott Cup with the Stars, before switching to Newcastle in 1939.

Jimmy Gooch: He came to Norwich towards the end of a long career and rode with the Stars in 1962 and 1963. But it was after he left The Firs that the England and Great Britain international finally made it to a World Cup Final - in 1965, just a few years shy of his 40th birthday.

Wilf Jay began his speedway career at Belle Vue in 1936 and the following year came to Norwich with Grossreutz and helped him build the new track. The crowds loved him. He was a top scorer with a daredevil style and he returned to Norwich after the Second World War. Photo: Mike Kemp Collection.

Wilf Jay: A top rider with the Norwich Stars in the late 1930s and one post War season in 1946. He also had spells with Newcastle, Walthamstow, Fleetwood, Wimbledon, Ashfield, Edinburgh and Sheffield.

Bob Oakley: Signed up in 1954, Oakley had come third in the World Championship two years previously and spent a single season with the Norwich Stars.

Phil Clarke.

Terry Betts: Began his career with the Norwich Stars, but it was with the King’s Lynn Stars that he really made his name, joining them when The Firs closed. He spent more than 10 years with the King’s Lynn side and, in 2005, was voted their greatest rider of all time by the team’s fans.

Geoff Pymar: The Suffolk-born son of a farmer started out with the Norwich Stars in the 1930s before switching to Wimbledon. But he came back to The Firs in 1956 for two seasons and had a year with the Yarmouth Bloaters. He appeared in the 1938 World Championship final.

Johnny Chamberlain: Yet another Australian, the diminutive Chamberlain was a popular rider with the Norwich Stars from 1958 to 1962. At 4ft 9ins, he was reputed to be the smallest rider speedway ever had. He also had a spell with the Yarmouth Bloaters.

Don Houghton: His racing years were from 1936 to 1947, with spells at Sheffield, Norwich and Wigan.